Vitamin D May Help Lower the Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes

From prevention.com

It's a little complicated, though

• New research suggests some people with prediabetes may benefit from a vitamin D supplement.
• The supplement can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• There are a few things to consider before trying this.

More than 115 million Americans have prediabetes, which is when your blood sugar levels are higher than what’s considered a healthy range, but not quite at the level of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. If you’re one of them, the big challenge is to do what you can to lower the risk your condition will progress to type 2 diabetes.

While eating healthy and being more active can cut your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half when you have prediabetes, new research suggests that taking a high-dose vitamin D supplement may also help—but only for certain people with prediabetes.

The study, which was published in JAMA Network Open, analysed data from the D2d study, which was a large clinical trial that looked at the impact of 4,000 units of vitamin D a day vs. a placebo in more than 2,000 American adults with prediabetes to see if it would impact their progression to type 2 diabetes. (That particular study didn’t find benefits to taking vitamin D to prevent type 2 diabetes.)

In the latest study, researchers dove into genetic data from 2,098 people who participated in the trial. The researchers specifically compared the response to vitamin D supplement in people who had different common variations in the vitamin D receptor gene.

After crunching the data, the researchers discovered that with prediabetes who also had certain common variations in the vitamin D receptor gene had a 19% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes when they took a high daily dose of vitamin D. (Those variations were AC or CC variations of the ApaI vitamin D receptor gene, if you want to get technical.)

While the findings don’t suggest that everyone with prediabetes should put themselves on a vitamin D supplement, the researchers note that it suggests genetic testing may be helpful in the future in identifying people with prediabetes who might benefit from higher doses of vitamin D.

But why vitamin D? Here’s the deal, according to experts.

                                                                                                                               mrs//Getty Images

This isn’t the only study to suggest vitamin D may help prevent type 2 diabetes

One study that was published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society in 2025 analysed data from 10 clinical trials that included nearly 4,500 people with prediabetes. The researchers found that 18.5% of the study participants who took vitamin D reached blood sugar levels that were normal, compared to the 14% of participants who took a placebo.

Another scientific analysis that was published in the Annals of Internal Medicinein 2023 analysed data from three clinical trials on the impact of vitamin D supplementation on people with prediabetes. After three years of follow-up, the researchers found that that 22.7% of participants who took vitamin D developed type 2 diabetes, while 25% of those who took a placebo did the same.

So far, the differences between people who took vitamin D or a placebo haven’t been massive—but they have been noticeable. The latest findings suggest that diving a little deeper into genetics may drive that impact even more.

What’s behind this?

There are likely a few things happening here. “The vitamin D receptor is the ‘sensor’ that allows the body to use vitamin D,” says Anastassios Pittas, M.D.,the study’s senior author, a professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, and chief of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at Tufts Medical Center. “In some individuals, this receptor works more efficiently, so higher vitamin D levels can better support processes such as insulin function, leading to better glucose control.”

But in others, the receptor doesn’t respond as well. “So, taking more vitamin D may not have the same benefit,” Dr. Pittas says.

Vitamin D doesn’t act on its own, points out Scott Keatley, R.D., co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy. It binds to the vitamin D receptor, which then sparks a reaction in tissues like the pancreas beta cells, he explains. “Those cells are responsible for insulin secretion,” Keatley says. (Insulin is what your body uses to escort blood sugar into your cells, where it’s used for energy.) “If the receptor is slightly different due to genetic variation, the same vitamin D level can produce a different biological response,” Keatley says.

How can you know if vitamin D will help you?

There’s no quick and easy way to know if you have these genetic variations, according to Keri Gans, R.D.N., author of The Small Change Diet. “Right now, most people would not know,” she says. “This is based on a specific genetic variation, and that is not routinely tested for in standard care.”

However, you may notice some clues, according to Jessica Cording, R.D., the author of The Little Book of Game-Changers.

Cording suggests knowing what your vitamin D status is at baseline. “Blood work is very important, and this is a really easy test,” she says. “That will give you some clues as to if you're deficient and should supplement, along with how high of a dose.”

But follow-up blood work is especially crucial, per Cording. “That will help you see how your body responds to vitamin D and will give you clues to see whether you should continue or stop, or if you need a higher dose,” she says.

What is a ‘high dose’ of vitamin D?

It depends. “Traditionally, a ‘high’ dose has been defined as intake above 4,000 IU per day, which was set as the Tolerable Upper Intake Level by the Institute of Medicine in 2011,” Dr. Pittas says. “That said, thinking has evolved.”

Now, he says that healthcare providers imply think about what may be appropriate for each person, noting that this is often show in blood work. “In studies on type 2 diabetes prevention, greater benefit has been observed among individuals who achieve and maintain higher blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D—around or above 40 ng/mL,” Dr. Pittas says. “Reaching these levels requires doses higher than 4,000 IU/day in some individuals.”

Do you need a vitamin D supplement?

If you have prediabetes, a vitamin D supplement is unlikely to be the way to avoid progressing to type 2 diabetes, whether you have this special genetic variant or not. “Diet and exercise are still the main drivers,” Keatley says. “When people with prediabetes improve diet quality, lose some weight, and move more, the reduction in diabetes risk is typically much larger and more consistent than what we see from any single nutrient.”

That doesn’t mean vitamin D is worthless, though. “Vitamin D, if it plays a role here, would likely be a smaller, supportive effect,” Keatley says. “Think of it as something that might fine-tune risk in certain people, not something that replaces the basics.”

Ultimately, if you have prediabetes and want to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, it’s important to have a conversation with your healthcare provider about your treatment options.

Dietary supplements are products intended to supplement the diet. They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases. Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, be careful about giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their healthcare provider.

https://www.prevention.com/health/health-conditions/a71110342/vitamin-d-protect-from-diabetes/ 

What Happens to Your Blood Sugar With Daily Omega-3s, According to a Doctor

From verywellhealth.com

Key Takeaways

• There is insufficient scientific evidence that daily omega-3 supplementation lowers blood sugar (glucose) levels.
• An elevated blood sugar level is a hallmark feature of diabetes, a lifelong condition that is typically managed with a combination of medication, nutrition therapy, and physical activity.
• If you are considering taking an omega-3 supplement, speak with your healthcare provider first to avoid medication interactions.

Omega-3 supplements, also called fish oil supplements, contain a type of fat found in shellfish and cold-water fish like salmon, mackerel, and tuna. Research on whether taking a daily omega-3 supplement affects blood sugar (glucose) levels is mixed, with emerging evidence suggesting minimal to no effect.

                      Omega-3 supplements have not been proven to improve blood sugar control. Olga Pankova / Getty Images

Omega-3's Inconsistent Effect on Blood Sugar

Elevated blood sugar levels due to defects in insulin production or action are characteristic of diabetes. Without careful management, diabetes can lead to serious complications involving the eyes, kidneys, heart, and nerves.

Due to the seriousness and chronicity of diabetes, scientists have launched an extensive and ongoing investigation into the potential role of supplements, like omega-3 fatty acids, in both preventing diabetes and serving as an adjunct to traditional diabetes medications.

Despite substantial scientific investigation, results regarding the effect of omega-3 supplementation on blood sugar levels have been inconsistent.

Specifically, while some studies have found that omega-3 supplementation lowers blood sugar levels, others have reported little to no impact.

What Do the Scientific Studies Show?

One example of a study reporting conflicting results on the impact of omega-3 on blood sugar is a 2024 study in Current Nutrition Reports. 

Basics of the study include the following:

• This study reviewed 30 randomized controlled trials involving participants, primarily adults, with one of three forms of diabetes: type 2, type 1, or gestational.
• Participants received omega-3 supplements of varying types and doses for six weeks to 12 months.
• The trial found that some participants experienced a reduction in fasting blood glucose levels with omega-3 supplementation, whereas others showed no change.

Investigators noted that such differences in trial results could be attributable to factors like:

• Number of participants in each trial
• Trial duration
• Participants' age and, specifically, how long they have had diabetes
• Dosage of the omega-3 supplement

Other examples of studies addressing the uncertain role of daily omega-3 supplementation on blood sugar levels include:

• A 2022 study reviewed 30 randomized controlled trials involving participants with and without diabetes. Results revealed that omega-3 supplementation led to a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar levels.
• A 2020 study reviewed 12 randomized controlled trials involving just over 800 adults with type 2 diabetes. Results revealed that omega-3 supplementation did not affect blood sugar levels.
  
• A 2019 study reviewed 83 randomized controlled trials involving more than 120,000 individuals with and without diabetes. The average trial period lasted nearly three years. Results revealed that increasing omega-3 intake, whether through supplements or foods (fish or plants), had minimal to no effect on blood glucose levels.

Should I Take an Omega-3 Supplement?

Overall, there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that omega-3 supplements can improve blood glucose control.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) does not universally recommend omega-3 supplementation for individuals with diabetes.

Omega-3 supplementation is also not formally recommended for individuals with prediabetes, a common health condition marked by high blood sugar levels that are not yet elevated enough to fulfil a diagnosis of diabetes.

All said, there is some evidence, albeit mixed, that omega-3 supplements may improve cardiovascular health in individuals with diabetes and risk factors for heart disease, like high cholesterol.

Given this potential link, your healthcare provider may recommend omega-3 supplements based on your personal heart disease risk factors.

Speak to Your Diabetes Healthcare Provider

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting an omega-3 supplement to ensure it's safe and appropriate for your care. Omega-3 supplements may interact with certain medications, like blood thinners.

If your provider recommends an omega-3 supplement, side effects are generally mild, with common ones being:

• Unpleasant supplement taste
• Bad breath
• Gastrointestinal disturbances (e.g., discomfort, nausea, diarrhoea, heartburn)

Using Diet to Improve Blood Sugar Control

For those with prediabetes or diabetes, the ADA recommends adopting a healthy eating pattern to optimize blood sugar control and prevent diabetes-related complications.

While no single diet suits everyone, the Mediterranean diet is a good fit for many. First, check in with your healthcare provider.

The Mediterranean diet is non-restrictive, offers tasty choices, and has been found to reduce blood sugar levels.

It consists of nutrient-dense foods like fruit, vegetables, and lean protein, as well as foods rich in omega-3s from both animal and plant sources, such as fatty fish, olive oil, and walnuts.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/omega-3-supplements-and-blood-sugar-11945435 

Getting the Most From a Continuous Glucose Monitor With Type 2 Diabetes

From everydayhealth.com

If you have type 2 diabetes, you’re likely very familiar with A1C tests, which measure the average amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood over the past three months.

However, A1C isn’t your only option for tracking your blood sugar levels: Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have moved beyond type 1 diabetes care to being an important tool for type 2 management as well. People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who use a CGM tend to have a lower A1C and more steady blood sugar.

Understanding CGMs

At first, CGMs were prescription-only and used by people with type 1 diabetes, a condition in which the body doesn’t make insulin. However, CGMs are now recommended for people with type 2 diabetes, whose bodies don’t make enough insulin and are resistant to it. You can even buy over-the-counter versions without a prescription.  

In fact, the 2026 American Diabetes Association Standards of Care were updated to reflect the fact that CGMs are now recommended as soon as type 2 diabetes is diagnosed. They’re also recommended for anyone previously diagnosed who could benefit from keeping a close watch on their blood sugar levels, including those who use insulin therapy, and those on other treatments that can cause low blood sugar.

“Updated studies show how valuable CGM is to anyone with type 2 diabetes,” says Amy Hess-Fischl, RDN, CDCES, president of health care and education for the American Diabetes Association. “Those with higher A1Cs can greatly benefit from CGM because they can now see the cause and effect of their meals and make adjustments quickly to have a big impact on reducing A1C.”

The Power of Instant Feedback

Real-time alerts from CGMs can help you adjust your diet, medication, and activity levels to prevent blood sugar fluctuations that can lead to complications like damage to your nerves, kidneys, blood vessels, eyes, and other parts of the body over time.

This real-time feedback is particularly helpful with meals, Hess-Fischl says. She describes a patient who had overindulged during a meal he loved, then received an alert that his glucose was rising higher than usual.

“Instead of getting mad at himself for being human, he took a 20-minute walk and it levelled off his readings,” Hess-Fischl says. “I was so proud of him, because that is exactly what CGM can do — instead of feeling helpless or defeated, he made a positive behaviour change.”

It’s not just about food choices though.

Stress and sleep, which are often interconnected, can also impact blood sugar levels. Cortisol, the stress hormone, triggers your liver to release more glucose into your blood. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body reacts as though it’s under stress. As a result, you may find that you wake up with higher morning blood sugar than usual.

Meanwhile, exercise can lower your blood sugar for up to 24 hours or more after a workout, since it makes your body more sensitive to insulin. Certain medications, like statins (used to lower LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol) and immunosuppressive drugs (like corticosteroids, used in arthritis treatment), can cause changes in your blood sugar too.

“Before CGMs became very popular, most of our focus was on looking at the A1C, which only really showed trends and average,” says Pouya Shafipour, MD, an obesity medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “CGMs show the exact timing of your glucose levels and the relationships to food, sleep, stress, exercise, and medication, which is really empowering for both patients and doctors.”

Tracking Your A1C

A CGM uses something called the glucose management indicator to estimate your A1C, without the need for a blood draw. This is a formula using the average of your glucose readings over about two weeks.

Keep in mind that this is only an estimate, so it may not exactly match your actual A1C. But for most patients, consistent monitoring removes the anxiety of quarterly blood work by providing a daily running average, Dr. Shafipour says.

“Instead of waiting every three to four months to go to doctor visits and guessing or worrying about A1C, they have a tool to see if they’re in range most of the time,” Shafipour adds.

Understanding the Data

CGMs include your current glucose reading, plus a trend arrow that shows if it’s rising or falling. This helps you see how certain lifestyle choices or medications are affecting you. Meanwhile, retrospective data summarizes all of your readings for a big-picture view of your glucose levels.

The main metric to focus on is time in range. You should aim to spend more than 70 percent of time with your blood sugar between 70 to 180 mg/dL, which correlates loosely to an A1C of 7 percent or below.

You’ll get a report with a curve that shows all glucose readings in a 24-hour window. That helps you spot patterns like post-meal spikes and overnight drops, and swings that could point to inconsistencies in how you take your medicine.

“Learning the trends and using the reports takes time, but with practice, it is easy to see how the real-time data can help make positive, lasting behaviour changes,” Hess-Fischl says.

Sharing Data With Your Healthcare Team

Remote monitoring with a CGM allows your doctor to make more nimble changes to your diabetes regimen, like medication adjustments, in between physical appointments.

The data can also help you have a more productive conversation with your doctor, says Hess-Fischl.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• What are my goals before and after meals?
• Why am I experiencing low blood sugar (readings under 70 mg/dL) at certain times, and how can I prevent it?
• How can I reduce the swings between high and low (glycaemic variability)?
• When do we need to consider adjusting my medication or insulin based on these trends?
• How often should I be confirming CGM readings with a finger stick?
• Can we create a plan for when to contact the office versus when to manage high or low readings myself?

The Takeaway

• CGMs are now recommended for everyone who is newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
• You can use your CGM data to better understand how diet, medication, exercise, stress, and sleep impact your blood sugar levels from day to day.
• Sharing this data with your healthcare team allows your doctor to make adjustments to your treatment plan in between physical appointments.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/using-continuous-glucose-monitor-with-type-2-diabetes/ 

What two registered dietitians actually tell their vegan diabetic patients about controlling blood sugar

From creators.yahoo.com

By Robin Raven

The strategies, foods, supplements, and mindset shifts two registered dietitians say make all the difference for vegan diabetics managing blood sugar

If you're managing diabetes while living a vegan lifestyle, you've probably been told the two don't mix well. People mistakenly assume that a vegan diet has too many carbs and not enough protein. So, where do you even start?

Registered dietitians Stephanie Gomez and Vanessa Rissetto have both heard it all. Now they're here to set the record straight. With patient-centred approaches that blend clinical nutrition science with real-world practicality, both experts work with vegan clients who are not only managing their blood sugar but thriving. We asked them the questions you may be pondering as you try to get your blood sugar under control. Here's everything they want you to know.

The #1 mistake vegan diabetics make with carbs (and it's not what you think)

Both dietitians zeroed in on meal balance as the foundation of blood sugar control, but they approached the problem from slightly different angles.

Gomez said the biggest mistake she sees is when people with diabetes fail to consider the balance of each individual meal and snack. "With diabetes, each meal and snack can either bring us closer to balance or cause a blood sugar spike," she explained. Her golden rule: always pair carbohydrate foods with protein foods. A peach with a quarter cup of pistachios — one serving of carbs, one serving of protein — is the kind of simple pairing she recommended as a starting point.

Rissetto identified a deeper assumption at the root of the problem. "The biggest mistake is assuming all plant foods are automatically blood sugar–friendly," she said. "I see people building meals around oats, smoothies, rice bowls, dried fruit, granola, and juice, but with very little protein or fat to slow digestion. Vegan does not equal low glycaemic. If your meal is mostly carbs, your blood sugar will reflect that."

Healthy salad with roasted tempeh, fresh cherry tomatoes, beetroot straws, spinach and lettuce leaves on plate.

(Okrasiuk)

‘Healthy’ vegan foods that are secretly spiking your blood sugar

This is where experts  Stephanie Gomez and Vanessa Rissetto said their patients are most frequently caught off guard: by foods wearing a health halo.

Gomez noted that the surprise spikes usually come from foods that gave patients a false expectation of protein. "We commonly expect burger patties and cheese to provide protein, but that's not always the case," she said. A portobello mushroom cap or low-protein vegetable patty served alongside fries can look like a balanced plate while functioning as an almost entirely carb-based meal.

Rissetto rattled off a list that might surprise even the most health-conscious vegan. "A few repeat offenders are smoothie bowls, acai bowls, instant oatmeal, dates, dried mango, brown rice, rice cakes, pretzels, agave-heavy snacks, and 'natural' granolas," she noted. "Even foods with a health halo can spike blood sugar if portions are large or if eaten without protein, fibre, or fat."

The lesson from both: read labels, know your protein counts, and never assume a vegan option is automatically blood sugar–friendly.

The top 5 high-protein, low-carb vegan foods for diabetics

Both dietitians shared their go-to protein recommendations, and the overlap is telling. Together, their lists form a comprehensive starter pack for any vegan diabetic looking to stabilize blood sugar.

Gomez's top five were tofu, tempeh, seitan, edamame, and green lentils. She described tofu as "incredibly versatile and widely available" and praised tempeh for delivering more protein than tofu along with isoflavones she called "important anti-inflammatory plant compounds". She called edamame an "unexpected protein powerhouse", noting that one cup delivers 18 grams of protein with only one serving of carbohydrates. Half a cup of green lentils, she added, provides about two servings of protein alongside a whopping 9 grams of dietary fiber.

Rissetto's top five landed on similar ground with a few additions: tofu ("versatile, affordable, a complete protein, and very low carb"), tempeh ("higher protein, more fibre, fermented, very satiating"), edamame ("a whole food protein with fibre), seitan ("very high protein and low carb if tolerated"), and hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds, which she said "add protein, healthy fats, minerals, crunch, and help balance meals".

How much protein do vegan diabetics actually need per day?

Protein needs are personal, and both dietitians were careful to frame their answers around the individual. However, their guidance converges on a range that's likely higher than most vegan diabetics are currently hitting.

Gomez offered a ballpark for an average 150-pound adult: 60 to 100 grams of protein per day. But she emphasized that protein isn't the only number worth chasing. "Let's focus on high-quality, nutritious plant-based options that also provide dietary fibre," she said, recommending about 30 grams of fibre and 64 ounces of water daily alongside that protein target.

Rissetto skewed her recommendations slightly higher, depending on the individual. "It depends on body size, age, activity, kidney health, and goals, but many adults do well in the range of 25–35 grams per meal and 80–120 grams per day spread across the day," she shared. "That's often higher than what many vegan eaters are currently getting. Protein helps with satiety, preserving lean mass, and blunting post-meal glucose swings."

The underrated vegan proteins your grocery cart is missing

Beyond the headline proteins, both registered dietitians pointed to lesser-known options that deserve a spot in the vegan diabetic's rotation.

Gomez highlighted ground flaxseeds, ground chia seeds, hemp seeds, and avocado as hidden gems that contribute not just protein but fibre and healthy fats. Those help slow the rise of glucose after meals.

Rissetto went further with a list of overlooked staples: lupini beans, unsweetened soy milk, textured vegetable protein, nutritional yeast, and black soybeans. "These can be easier ingredients to eat to increase protein without loading up on starch," she explained.

What a perfect high-protein, low-carb vegan day of eating looks like

Wondering how to put it all together on the plate? Both Gomez and Rissetto mapped out a sample day, and the patterns between them are strikingly consistent.

Gomez suggested starting with a tofu scramble loaded with vegetables and a slice of whole-wheat toast, followed by a big rainbow salad topped with hearts of palm, chickpeas, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds at lunch, and tempeh tacos with mashed black beans, roasted peppers, and onions for dinner.

Rissetto's sample day leaned even lower in starch: a tofu scramble with spinach, mushrooms, and avocado for breakfast; a tempeh salad with greens, cucumbers, and olive oil vinaigrette for lunch; edamame and a handful of pumpkin seeds as a snack; baked tofu or seitan with roasted broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini for dinner; and an optional evening snack of unsweetened soy yogurt with chia seeds. "Notice a theme of non-starchy vegetables, consistent protein, smart fats, and controlled portions of starch," she said.

Is a long-term low-carb vegan diet actually sustainable for diabetics?

Both experts agreed that sustainability is achievable with the right mindset.

Gomez was reassuring: "A person with diabetes can absolutely choose to be vegan and experience excellent blood sugar control by making the right choices in their vegan diet," she said.

Rissetto added important nuance. "It can be sustainable if it's thoughtfully planned. But if someone cuts carbs aggressively and removes too many foods, it can become socially difficult, nutritionally thin, and hard to maintain," she explained. "I usually prefer lower-carb, not no-carb. There's a big difference. Strategic portions of beans, lentils, berries, or intact grains may fit well depending on the person."

The supplements every vegan diabetic should know about

Even the most carefully planned vegan diet has nutritional blind spots, and both dietitians flagged several supplements that deserve serious attention.

Gomez recommended vitamin B12 as a baseline safety precaution for virtually all vegans, even those eating fortified foods or nutritional yeast regularly. She also pointed to omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D as broadly beneficial, and flagged iron as a nutrient worth monitoring through foods like fortified cereals, tofu, lentils, and spinach.

Rissetto's list was equally thorough. "Vitamin B12 is non-negotiable for most vegans," she said. Beyond that, she recommended monitoring vitamin D, omega-3s, specifically noting that an algae-based DHA/EPA supplement is worth considering. She also said it’s a good idea to monitor iron, zinc, iodine, and sometimes calcium.

Rissetto also flagged one consideration if you’re taking a common medication for diabetics: "Metformin use can also affect B12 status, which matters for many people with Type 2 Diabetes."

The blood sugar tip most diabetics have never heard

When asked for the single most important piece of advice they wished every vegan diabetic knew, both experts offered answers worth saving.

Gomez pointed to liquids. "Read the nutrition facts on your drinks," she urged. "Carbohydrates raise blood sugar, and when we do not slow their absorption with other nutrients like protein and fibre, they can quickly raise our blood sugar." And for those looking to bring blood sugar down? "If you want to dilute the sugar in your bloodstream, drink more water."

Rissetto offered a reframe on the fear of carbs that holds so many diabetics back. "You do not need to fear carbs! You need to respect dose, timing, and pairing," she said. "Carbs eaten in the right amount, with protein and fibre, can absolutely fit. Blood sugar management is usually about patterns, not one 'bad' food."

Can changing your diet reduce how much insulin a diabetic needs?

Both experts were encouraged by the potential to reduce how much insulin is needed with healthy dietary changes, but they were equally firm that any changes must be made carefully and in partnership with a clinician.

Gomez said that when patients commit to balancing their meals, managing portion sizes, timing meals thoughtfully, staying hydrated, staying active, and managing stress, they position themselves for well-controlled blood sugar. She also noted that vegans often have a built-in advantage: "Vegans typically consume more dietary fibre and less saturated fat than people on an omnivorous diet," she explained.

Rissetto was direct about the real-world impact. "For some people, it can be very meaningful," she said. "Improving meal composition, reducing glucose spikes, losing excess weight if needed, and increasing activity can lower insulin requirements and sometimes reduce medication burden." But she issued an important caution: "This must be done with a clinician, because insulin doses may need to be adjusted quickly when diet changes. Food can be powerful, but it should be coordinated, not DIY'd."

For more articles on vegan living, diabetes, and other wellness articles, follow me on Yahoo.

About Our Experts: Stephanie Gomez, MS, RDN, LDN is a registered dietitian with Begin Again Nutrition, and she’s a doctoral candidate in a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program. Stephanie is committed to empowering people through comprehensive nutrition and wellness solutions. Vanessa Rissetto, MS, RD, CDN has over 10 years of experience as a registered dietitian, and she is co-founder of Culina Health. Vanessa also serves as the dietetic intern director at New York University. 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider or registered dietitian before making changes to your diet, supplement routine, or diabetes management plan, including any adjustments to insulin or medication.

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